Gabon unlocks FCFA 51 billion to clear domestic debt owed to businesses
As Gabon approaches its 66th independence anniversary, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has announced the release of FCFA 51 billion to settle part of the debt owed to local businesses. This initiative aims to bolster small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and revitalize the private sector’s growth.
The Gabonese government is accelerating efforts to clear its domestic arrears. Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema confirmed the allocation of FCFA 51 billion to settle outstanding payments to businesses.
Of this amount, FCFA 30 billion is earmarked for companies in the mining and forestry-wood sectors, while the remaining FCFA 21 billion will address claims from other enterprises, with a special focus on SMEs and mid-sized industries.
This decision follows a high-level meeting between the Head of State and representatives from the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises, alongside leaders of SMEs and mid-sized businesses. The discussions, held at the Palais de la Rénovation in Libreville, centered on the challenges facing the private sector, job preservation, and measures to sustain economic activity.
In the initial phase, the public treasury will mobilize FCFA 21 billion to honor 1,478 payment orders issued between 2022 and 2026. The affected businesses operate in key sectors of the national economy, including construction, maintenance, food supply, and fuel distribution.
According to government officials, this initiative aims to strengthen business liquidity, sustain operations, and safeguard employment. The announcement aligns with a broader plan to reduce Gabon’s domestic debt, currently estimated at nearly FCFA 4,652 billion.
By addressing these arrears, authorities seek to improve the operational conditions for businesses and gradually eliminate outstanding payments owed by the state. The release of FCFA 51 billion marks a pivotal step in supporting the national private sector and maintaining the country’s economic momentum.
